Magnet-actuated device.



D. H. DARRIN. MAGNET ACTUATED DEVICE. APPLIOATION FILED Nov. 14, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

(3l/Witnesses Patented J an. 30, 1912.

D. H. DARRIN. MAGNET AGTUATED DEVICE.

Patented Jan. 30, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

@mi U11 @o on DAVID H. BARBIN, or NEWYEILN. Y.

y MAGNET-ACTUATED DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 30, 1912.

Application led November 14, 1906. Serial No. 343,343.

lo all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, DAVID H. DARRIN, a :itizen of the United States, residing at tew York city, in the county of NewYork 1nd State of New York, have invented cerain new anduseful Improvements in Magiet-Actuated Devices, of which the followng is a full, clear, and exact specication.

This invention relates to magnetI actuated' nechanism, and has especial reference to Lpparatus wherein' a switch, a rheostat, a vvalve, a brake, or the like is actuated by a` nagnet. 7

The object of the invention is t-o provide 1n apparatus in which the movement of a aart actuated by the current automatically ienergizes the magnet, so that after the oart is started, the magnet is automatically :ut out, therebypreventing waste` ofcurrentI Jr overheating in the magnet, but always leaving the magnet in condition to be again energized for the succeeding actuation of the part, plunger, switch, valve, brake, or whatever device it is desired to operate.

More particularly described, the inventioncomprises a mechanism having two positions, and so connected with the magnet armature or core that the initial pull of theA magnet' sets the mechanism In motion, the magnet circuit being thereafter opened, and the. further movement of the yapparatus effected by the momentum of the parts, or by other means, the magnet circuit) being. automatically set at the end of the movement so that it can be energized toragain operate the apparatus in the reverse direction.`

jA characteristic feature of the invention is that none of the 'energy of moving parts is used up in resetting t-he mechanism for the next action, this being done by the force of gravity which causes the parts to fall to a position where the next energization of the magnet will lift| them.

In one application of the invention', the movement of the actuated part is greater in one direction than iny the other. This 4arrangement has especial advantages for certain purposes, and is shown herein applied to a motor starter or rheostat.y

Further objects of the invention are improvements in the operation and arrangement of elect-ric switches and in the particular form and construction of the various parts, all of which will be more fully-eX- plained inconnection with the accompanying` drawings,- wherein- Figure 1 is a front elevation, showing the invention applied to an electricswitch; Fig.

V2 is an elevation vshwing the invention applied to a motor starter; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic View showing a relay control; and Fig., 4 is a diagrammatic'view showing the connections `for a power circuit.

1 represents a base havingmounted thereon a solenoid magnet 2 comprising a winding 3, and vertically movable armature or core 4'.

5 is a stud mounted on a bar 6 through which latter the winding 3A of the magnet is connected with' the controlling circuits. Pivotally mounted on stud 5 is,an oscillating weighted crank 7, and loosely attached thereto by a slot and pin connection 8, 9, is a link 10, the upper end of which" is connectedwith core 4fby pin. 11. This' provides a lost motion connection, whereby the initial magnetic pull acts to set the core and the link in, motion, and the crank does not move until these parts have acquired considerable momentum. The result is, that the crank, when once started, moves quickly, with suicient force to operate the device to be controlled, in passingfrom one side of the center to the other, and atthe same time cutting 0H the magnet current .after -the starting impulse has4 occurred. Without the lost motion vbetween the 'core and the actuating crank', there would be a tendency toa' slow action, because the initial pull would have to move the entire mass of core and crank, but by starting the core rst, and then causing it to pick up the weight when once in motion, a-much less pull will suffice to operate the device,-therebyr` eectingl 'a considerable economy in the current consumed by the magnet. The actuating circuits of the magnet lead from terminals T14, 15, to brushes 16, 17', with one of which i the crank 7 1s always in contact when at rest, so that the magnet circuit is thus set to be energized to throw the crank `to the other side.` From t-hewinding 3 a wire 18 leads to a terminal 19, which will be connected with the opposite side ot the line from the terminals 14, 15, thus forming the vmagnet circuit, which may or may not be supplied from the same line to which the switch, rheostat or 4other electrical'-device being operated, is connected.

the other for a rheostat.

Fig. l, shows a controlling switch comprising terminals 22,23, 24, 19, resilient switch blades 25, 26, mounted on blocks 27 (connected respectively with terminals 423, 24). From the terminals 22, 19, wires 28 lead to clips 29" carrying removable carbon blocks 30, which contact with removable blocks 31 carried by the switch blades 25, 26. InA order to operate the switch blades, an

' oscillator 33, carrying insulating rollers 34 `bearing on the blades, is pivoted on stud 5.

36 is-a stop'lug carried on bar 6 for limiting the throw of the oscillator. In the position shown, the switch blades are closed and the crank is on the left hand sidewith the upper .sideof the oscillator 33 positively stopped against the lower end of stop lug 36, and a lug 37 on the rear side of the weight resting on the upper left side of the oscillator. When the crank throws over to' the right hand side, it strikes in falling, a lug 38 on the oscillator and rocks it downward on the right, moving the rollers "away from the switch blades and permitting them to open, the oscillator striking the inclined side ofy lug 36. At each actuation, .the crank runs off from one or the other of brushes 16, 17, opening the magnet circuit, and' then sets themagnet circuit at the other brush, forl Ithe next movement. lthat successive actuations of the magnet It will thus be seen throw wthe switch, or whatever device is being operated, in opposite directions, without reversing the current, and that the actual operation of the part is accomplished by the momentum of the cranlnwhich, after having acquired suiiicient momentum from the magnet to throw over, automatically cuts off the magnet current. Furthermore, itv will be noticed that the crank falls `un'til stopped positively by the oscillatorin operating the switch. Also the magnet core or armature correspondingly varies -in its position of rest, according to which side of center the -crank is on and the amountof fall'permit'- ted the crank.

In Fig. 2, the device is applied to a-motor starter, and has a somewhat dierent arrangement of magnet circuit contacts. At-

- tached to the crank 7 by a link 40 is a lever 41,` corresponding to the oscillatr 33, pivoted at 42 and having'its short arm 43 formed with a channel in'which rests the weighted end 45 of. a bell crank lever, also pivoted on stud42. yThe other end 46 carries a contact block 47 which moves over a set of resistance plates 48, which will .be connected in a motor circuit in a well knowr manner. l Attached by'rod 50 to the weight on arm 45 is a plunger 51 in dishspot 52,the plunger having valves opening downward` so that its descent will be retarded but its ascent not retarded. With the position shown in the drawing (Fig. 2) the core 4 is in its lowest position, and the magnet circuit is set at brush 16. In order to operate the rheostat, the magnet circuit will be energized (as by a switch 56, push button or the like) through brush 16, thereby drawing up thecore 4 and, through link 10, throwing crank 7 to the right and opening the magnet circuit as before described. At the same time the lever 41 is moved upward by link 40, thereby moving the short end 43 from under weighted arm 45 of the rheostat lever, and allowing the weighted plunger 51 to move slowly downward in the dash-pot and move contact block 47 over the rsistances. They resistance arm holds at each end according to the position of the crank and the latter is stopped positively by lugs '54, or in 'some other suitable manner. By raising one of lugs 54 the resistance arm 46 will be held in the left hand positi'on, l 4`ig. 2. In this position (dotted lines,vFig. 2), the crank 7 will have dropped a little below its highest point to prevent accidental falling back, and the core likewise have dropped somewhat, and'set the magnet circuit atrbrush 17, so that the magnet can again be energized, vto throw the crank over and permit the core to drop to its 'original' position. By reason of the slotted link, the core falls farther than the crank. Atthev neXt actuation crank 7 I and lever 41 will 'raise the dash-potplunger and resistance weight and return the resistance arm to original position. W ith the crank'7 stopped a little below the center, it willl take a' veryslight impulse to throw it back,but by reason-ofthe slotted link, the core will drop to such an extent as to enable it to acquire enough momentum to accomplish. this before the current through the magnet is cut oft.

lt' will be obvious that the main motor vswitch may be opened and closed at the same time, as shown in Fig. 1, this being omitted from Fig. 2 for clearness, forming a complete motor controller. Ordinarily, the resistance arm when at the right will have the resistance all in, cutting it slowly out in moving to-the left, but it will be seen thaty it could as well be all out and slowly inserted as the arm moves to the left, this depending upon the particular use to which the rheostat is to be put. By a similar mechanism a brake can be held oli', or

applied by' momentarily" energizing the magnet. Also other mechanisms may be similarly controlled, wherein it is desired to hold a part positively without requiring any l current in retaining magnets.

va distance by a relay actuating device, the

' relay magnet, as 57, Fig. 3, requiring a very through one gized small current. In this arrangement, a hand switch 58 opens or closes the relay circuit riseand complete the main magnet circuit or the other of brushes 16 or 17. Instead of being in the relay circuit, the switch 58 may be a three point switch 56 as in Fig. 4, which shows the circuits where motors or lights are to be controlled. Such a relay arrangement will be of greatadvantage when it is desired to use this mechanism in the same manner as the usual form of solenoid ormagnet switches are.

used; that is, where it is desired to operate a main switch by a simple breaking of the relay circuit, as in, connection with the various safety devices of an electric elevator. Of course, if the opposite effect be desired, that is,lwhen the magnet coil be enerand it be desired to open the main switch instead of closing it,v the same result could be obtained through the relay arrangement. i

An apparatus constructed as thus described, may be connected up in a number of ways and used for a variety of purposes, the magnet 'in all cases breaking its own circuit irrespective of the circuit controlling switch as soon as contacts 16 or 17 separate from the crank, the further actuating move- 'ment ofthe crank being due tolthe momentum of the moving parts, and not requiring any current, after the initial impulse, either to cause a complete throw or to hold the actuated part in one or the other position. Furthermore, none of the energy of the moving parts will be required to reset the mechanism as this automatically occurs when the parts have fallen by gravity to their respective positions of rest, ready to be lifted by the energization of the magnet to accomplish another action. Also it will be seen that the apparatus will not hang on again,

the center, leaving the mechanism partially thrown, since if the impulse is not vs u'licient to throw the crank entirely over, it will fall back and, by closing the magnet contacts cause another throw.

By theguse of this device, `the necessityl for using retaining magnets for holding the actuated parts in one lor another position will be obviated, and thereby a large saving in current consumption obtained. When used as a motor starting switch to operate a l rheostat, brake or the like, there will also be a saving of current, because it will not be necessary to keep current in the magnet while the rheostat is moving, or the brake on or off, or the motor running.

Inasmuch as there is -only a momentary current through the magnet, it can take very large currents without damage by permitting the armature 59 to drop o r` overheating, and the larger the current, the stronger `will be the throw of the crank, with consequent quicker cutting o ut of the magnet circuit. This also permits the same magnet to be used on circuits subject to large fluctuations in current and voltage without being burned out, with either direct or alternating current.y

For use in an alternating current circuit,

this device has a number of advantages byv reason of the automatic breaking of the magnet circuit before the cycle of operation of the apparatus` is completed. In all alternating current magnets, there is, by reason of self-induction, and the eddy currents induced in they core, a liability of overheating and damage. Furthermore, as theV magnetic reluctance decreases with the inward movement of the core, the heating effect increases byreason of increase of self induction, and itis therefore of advantage to prevent this heating effect by reducing the time during which the current flows as much aspossible. Also, in devices to be actuated by alternating current it has been necessary, in order to secure a steady pull and to prevent chattering, to use a plurality of windings, displaced in phase, but with this device, such an arrangement is not necessary, since the current is only used to produce the initial impulse, and thereafter the further operation is entirely independent of the current or time.

In many cases where live retaining lnagnets are at present used to control a circuit, this invention can be used without involving waste of current in the magnet while the circuit is on or oli', and with the further advantage that the magnet, being out of circuit, will be protected against burning out or overloads. as in Fig. 3, it is possible to control the actuated device by opening-and closing a single circuit` and the amount of current -used by the relay with that usedl by the actuating magnet itself, or a. holding coil to hold the core ele vated, as when used in a motor starter. Furthermore, the switch herein described, by reason of the large4 movement of the switch blades, and the smallerI actuating movement of thev oscillator, has a number of practical advantages in quickness of action, etc., and the parts can be readily renewed or adjusted when necessary.

From the foregoing description of the invention, and the manner in which it may be applied, it will be understood that I do not restrict myself to theprecise details )of con- With the controlling relay,

will be negligible in comparison' Having thus described my invention, lf declare that what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,-

l. The combination with ak magnet, a core and an actuated part, of an intermediate momentum device connected toi be actuated when the core is lifted for moving said part in both directions, said momentum device controlling Icontacts for interrupting the magnet circuit after it has acquired sutlicient 'momentum to lift it to its highest point and falling to a different position to restore the magnet circuit while the core falls toward its previous position.

2. The combination with an oscillating momentum device, of a magnet located above said device and having its core connected to oscillate said device alternately in opposite directions when lifted by the magnet, means whereby the movement of said core after ac# quiring an initial momentum upwardly effects the actuation of said momentum device; means for opening the magnet circuit to permit said core to fall and the momentum device to be oscillated, and means` for restoring the magnet circuit.

3. The combination with a pivoted weight, of a magnet having an upwardly movable core, means comprising a lost-motion device whereby said core .acquires an initial momentum and causes said weight to be liftedand swung from one side of the pivot to the other,'means for energizing the magnet to lift the core, means for denergiyzing the magnet to permit the core to fall when the weight throws over, and means for re-setting the magnet circuit when the core comes to rest.

4. The combination with` a movablepart, of a weighted crank mounted to swing about a pivot and operating said partin opposite directions 'by its momentum in K swinging from one lside to the other, a magnet, and a link connecting the armature of theImagnet and the crank, the connection permitting an initial movement of the armature independ ent of said weighted crank. f

5. The combination'with a movable part, of a weighted crank for actuating said part, a solenoid magnet, actuating connections between the coreand thecrank, and a pair of contacts in the magnet circuit, one of 'which' is operated `and the' Vother closed by said. movable part at each throw, and means whereby the crank moves independently of 'l'.` The 'combinationwith a pivoted weight, vofa solenoid magnet located above and having its armature connected with the weight to lift and throw it from one side of the center to the other, means for opening the magnetic circuit to permit the weight to move over the center and drop by gravity, and a lever connected to be moved in opposite directions according -to the direction of the weight, the connections permitting the core to fall toward its initial position while the weight is moving under its own momentum.

8. The combinationfwith a pivotedweightmounted to be thrown from one side o f its pivot to the other alternately, of a solenoid located above the weight and having its 4,core mounted-to throw said weight when the core is lifted, means for opening the magnetcircuit to permit the core and weight to drop by gravity, and a part controlled according to the position of said weight, whereby the momentum of the weight and core is available for actuating energy.

9. The combination with a magnet having a movable core, of an-actuated part having a plurality of positions, a weighted device having corresponding positions and adapted to operate said actuated part, means including a lost-motion device connecting said core with said weighted device,rand means for automatically opening the magnet circuit to permit the core to drop while said weighted device is moving from one positionto the other.

` In testimony whereof I aii my si gnature,l

in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID H. DARRN.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK G. TowNsEND, JULIAN S. WoosTER. 

